SWING Synonyms: 182 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'swing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , undulate , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When might 'fluctuate' be a better fit than 'swing'?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oscillate' instead of 'swing'?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

Q: When could 'sway' be used to replace 'swing'?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing , sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement. // trees swaying in the breeze

Q: When can 'undulate' be used instead of 'swing'?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion. // an undulating sea of grass

Q: Where would 'vibrate' be a reasonable alternative to 'swing'?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact. // the vibrating strings of a piano

Q: In what contexts can 'waver' take the place of 'swing'?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering. // the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Q: How does the verb 'swing' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate , oscillate , sway , undulate , vibrate , and waver . While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side. // the door suddenly swung open

Q: When might 'fluctuate' be a better fit than 'swing'?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value. // fluctuating interest rates

Q: When is it sensible to use 'oscillate' instead of 'swing'?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction. // an oscillating fan

swing 1 of 2

noun

Definition of swing next

as in license

Related Words

Relevance

as in movement

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as in shift

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swing

2 of 2

verb

ˈswiŋ

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something) at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to manipulate

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a man who's able to swing two full-time jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rotate

to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball don't let the wind swing that gate shut

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to hang

to place on an elevated point without support from below beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to afford

to have enough money for I don't think that we can swing that hefty a mortgage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of swing

Noun

These election results have proved that more and more, Latinx people might be the last true swing voters. —

Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Kolar is the most intriguing upside swing here, a 6-foot-6 blocker who was stuck behind multiple TEs in Baltimore in the receiving game. —

Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

But for a team that last year used so much 12 and 13 personnel, do the Panthers swing for a free-agent tight end on a short-term deal? —

Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026 There might be more than one bench spot to be won on the opening-day roster, as infielder Sung-Mun Song has not swung a bat since aggravating a right oblique strain on Sunday. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing

Noun

City spokesman Joe Rubino said license applications from retail outlets won’t be accepted for a couple of months as the city works to stand up the new program.

— John Aguilar, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Attendees chuckled after seeing how inexpensive billing statements, fees, budgets and licenses were compared to today.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of license

Browse Nearby Words

swineherds

swing

swinging

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Style

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of swing

noun

verb

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